Sue's Chicken Lettuce Wraps

I know, I know, naming something after a person doesn't really help to let you know what the dish is about. I only decided to name this after myself because I was stumped as to what to call it.

Delicious Chicken Lettuce Wraps would've totally worked but, again, isn't very helpful letting you what the dish is about. 

Anyway, let's get past that.

These are sooooooo simple you won't even believe it.

Oh... and did I mention how tasty they are.

I'm pretty sure these are going to be your family's new favorite dinner thing for a while.

Sue's Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients

Chicken & Marinade

4 chicken breasts (boneless/skinless), cut into 1 inch pieces

2 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce

2 Tbsp brown sugar

1 1/2 Tbsp oil

1 Tbsp Garlic Chili Sauce

1 clove garlic, minced

Wraps

cucumber, diced fine

smoked almonds, coarsely chopped

toasted sesame seeds

green onion, diced

lettuce leaves (from 1 medium to large size head)

Directions

In a seal-able container (big enough to hold the chicken breasts), stir together the soy sauce, brown sugar, oil, garlic chili sauce, and garlic until well combined. Add in the diced chicken and stir to coat.

 Refrigerate at least several hours, up to overnight. Chicken will appear much darker as it soaks in the marinade. 

When chicken has marinated, heat a large frying pan over medium - high heat and cook chicken until done. Cover and keep warm while you prepare the rest of the wraps.

To prepare wrap - place a lettuce leaf on your serving plate. Top with a good spoonful of the cooked chicken. Sprinkle with some of the cucumber, almonds, sesame seeds, and green onions.

Repeat until all the lettuce and filling has been used up. 

Serve immediately.

We used iceberg lettuce but Romaine or such would work too.  

They have just a nice amount of heat from the Garlic Chili Sauce!

Another plus - this recipe is easy to double or even triple if you wanted to serve these during game day or a party. 

NOTE - these are also good the next day. I brought Jo the leftover wrap ingredients in separate containers. She kept them in the fridge, including the leftover chicken, and brought them to work the next day.

She then simply layered them in the lettuce leaves at work the next day. Apparently they are just as delicious cold too. She could have heated the chicken in the microwave too but she decided to just try them cold. 

We are sharing at this fun linky parties - be sure to stop by and check them out! - Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons, My Turn (for us), Hun... What's For Dinner?,  Carole's Chatter

Cinnamon Bun Overnight Oats

Welcome to the world of breakfast decadence.

Overnight oats are my new favorite thing. Seriously... you can eat all these wonderful flavors of chewy and creamy goodness and it's GOOD FOR YOU. 

Not even lying.

(Be sure to check out our other overnight flavors - PB & J Overnight Oats, Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats.)

This version tastes just like a cinnamon bun. For realz. 

A big, ooey gooey, cinnamon and cream cheesy cinnamon bun but for only 243 calories, 42 carbs, 4 fat, 17 protein, and 4 fiber. (According to Myfitnesspal)

Feel free to indulge!

Cinnamon Bun Overnight Oats

Ingredients

1/3 cup 0 fat Greek yogurt (plain)

1/3 cup 1% milk

1/3 cup oats

1 tsp flax

1 1/2 tsp brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 Tbsp 95% fat free cream cheese

4 pkg Stevia Sugar Twin

Directions

In a small bowl stir together the Greek yogurt, milk, oats, flax, and brown sugar until well mixed.

In another small bowl (OR I use the measuring cup from the yogurt, etc..), stir together the cream cheese and Stevia.

Take half of the cream cheese mixture and stir it into the oat mixture.

Then, place the oat mixture into a bowl (or mason jar). 

Take the remaining cream cheese mixture and drizzle it on top of the oats. (I put mine in a little Ziplock bag as I find it easier to do.) 

Cover and place in fridge overnight - at least 8 hours. 

It will be ready to serve as soon as the oats soak up the liquid and soften. 

Can you hear that?

That's the sounds of your taste buds singing for joy. 

 

We're sharing at these fab linky parties -- Ms. enPlace, The Chicken Chick, Memories By The Mile, Hun...What's For Dinner?, Simple Life of a Fire Wife, New Mrs Adventures, Anyonita Nibbles

 

 

Barley Paella

It's snowy and cold.

I know, I know...... it's January - what did I expect, right?

I could go for a Jamaican vacation about now. 

BUT.... since that is not going to happen anytime soon.... I will stay in and eat Barley Paella to keep myself all warm and comfy.

I saw this recipe over at Eat Good For Life and had to give it a try. I made a few changes to the recipe to suit what ingredients I had and what my hubby and I prefer. (Sue here, by the way)

This is so easy to make and everyone that tried it LOVED it.

I used Chinese sausage as I didn't have dried chorizo (in the original recipe HERE). I can't wait to make it again with some chorizo to see how different it is. 

Barley Paella

(Slightly adapted from Eat Good For Life)

Ingredients

2 Chinese sausages, sliced

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1 onion (large), chopped

1 head garlic, chopped

2 carrots, cubed small

3 cups barley (not cooked)

1/4 cup tomato paste

5 - 7 cups chicken broth

2 cups shrimp

2 cups scallops

salt & pepper

Garnish

green onion (optional)

Directions

In a 6 quart Dutch oven (or very large pot), over medium high heat, cook the sausage until almost cooked through. Add in the olive oil, Italian seasonings, onion, garlic, and carrot and cook and stir about 5 to 7 minutes - until veggies are softened.

Add in the barley, tomato paste, and 5 cups of the chicken broth. Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook until barley is tender. **NOTE - you will need to keep checking the barley to see if you need to add more chicken broth.  (I ended up using about 7 cups in total over about 30 to 40 minutes of cooking time.)

When the barley is tender - add in the shrimp and scallops and salt and pepper to taste. 

Stir until all is heated through.

Serve hot. 

Easy peasy, right?

Soooooooo good. 

And, I know it's not the lowest in calories or carbs BUT it is full of essential amino acids, protein, and fiber. Plus...it's super filling, hearty and comforting - perfect for a chilly January dinner!

We're sharing at these fun and fabulous linky parties - Dizzy Busy & Hungry, Mama Buzz, Nap Time Is My Time, Carole's Chatter

Beef Chow Fun

In our family it was always our dad who was the experimental cook. Mom was a "meat and potatoes" cook (an amazing one, by the way!). Dad cooked a lot of Chinese dishes and got us hooked on the flavors of the orient.

Sue is much more proficient in cooking Chinese dishes than I am BUT I have recently started experimenting and have come up with some pretty exciting results.

Take this Beef Chow Fun, for example. Not only is the name fun to say.... it's simple to make and tastes delicious. Plus.... bonus points for being pretty healthy too. 

I found this recipe over at Hip Foodie Mom and made a few small changes - due to not being able to get some of the ingredients.  Be sure to pop over to Hip Foodie Mom if you want to see the original recipe. (Link HERE)

Beef Chow Fun

(Slightly adapted from Hip Foodie Mom)

Ingredients 

1 pkg (250 gr) Rice Stick Noodles

(Or flat rice noodles if you can get them)

1 Tbsp sesame oil, divided

1 (0.4 kg) Beef Strip Steak, cut into 1/2 inch cubes 

2 tsp fresh ginger, diced fine

3 cloves garlic, diced fine

4 green onions, chopped

2 cups cabbage, chopped

3 cups bok choy, chopped

1 Tbsp Chinese Rice Wine

1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium)

pinch of sugar

2 cups fresh mung bean sprouts

Garnish

green onions, chopped (optional)

Instructions

Place rice noodles in a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave to sit while you prepare remainder of dish.

In a large wok (or skillet), over high heat, pour in 2 tsp of the sesame oil to coat the wok. Add the beef cubes and cook until done. Remove the cooked beef from the wok and set aside.

Turn the heat down to medium and add the remaining 1 tsp sesame oil. 

Add in the ginger, garlic, and green onions. Cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes.

Add in the cabbage and bok choy and mix well. Stir and cook everything for about 5 to 6 minutes, until cabbage is starting to soften.

Drain the water off the rice noodles.

Turn the heat back up to high and add the rice noodles into your wok. Pour the Chinese Rice Wine around the rim of the wok and then add the soy sauce and pinch of sugar.

Mix everything together really well.

Add in the cooked beef and the bean sprouts and stir once again. Cook and stir for an additional 3 - 4 minutes to make sure everything is heated through and well coated in the sauce. (FYI - if you want it a little more saucy then now is the time to add in a bit more rice wine and soy sauce.)

Serve immediately. Garnish with a sprinkle of some chopped green onion, if desired. 

That photo above is of one serving.

One serving, according to Myfitnesspal, is 337 calories, 38 carbs, 8 fat, 27 protein, 2 fiber. 

(A serving is 1/6th of the recipe)

I love that for such a big portion it is only 337 calories and 27 protein!! 

*win*

Also of note, the rice noodles are gluten free - in case you are worried about gluten. 

The original recipe called for the wider, flat noodles and I would love to make this again with the proper noodles. Of course, living where we do, they are not available. Next trip to the city I will try to pick some up and see how different they are. 

 

Be sure to check out Carole's Chatter for tons of tasty links!

 

PB & J Overnight Oats

It's hard to believe that not all that long ago I was NOT a fan of oatmeal. In any form. 

And now, here I am, eating overnight oats cold, baked oatmeal, stove top oatmeal, pretty much oatmeal in all its forms.

I couldn't tell you why I suddenly LOVE oatmeal but I find some things are best not to question.

Let's just roll with it.

Take these overnight peanut butter and jam oats.

I think we all know peanut butter and jam sandwiches are pretty much the perfect breakfast (or lunch, or snack). Don't argue. It's true.

Now you can enjoy this heavenly combination in an oatmeal and it requires like NO effort at all. 

About 10 seconds of prep and *boom* magic happens.

PB & K Overnight Oats

Ingredients

1/3 cup 0 fat, plain Greek yogurt

1/3 cup 1 % milk

1/3 cup oats (not quick oats)

1 tsp flax

1 Tbsp peanut butter, divided

1 Tbsp strawberry jam, divided

Directions

In a small bowl, stir together the Greek yogurt and the milk until fairly smooth.

Stir in the oats, flax, and 2 tsp of the peanut butter and 2 tsp of the jam.

Scrape mixture into a mason jar or serving dish and top with the remaining 1 tsp of peanut butter and 1 tsp of jam. (Don't worry if it looks really soupy. It will thicken as it sits and the oats absorb the liquid.) 

Cover and chill overnight (at least 8 hours).

They come out so rich and creamy and taste very peanut butter and jam-y. 

This recipe is for one serving and comes in at - 335 calories, 42 carbs, 12 fat, 19 protein, and 5 fiber. 

A couple of things - 

Don't have ground flax, leave it out. It won't affect the taste or texture very much at all. I just like to add it for a little more fiber.

You can use lactose free Greek yogurt and almond milk if you can't do dairy.

Make it gluten free by using gluten free oats. 

You can, of course, use any flavor of jam you prefer. 

I've read that overnight oats can sit 3 - 4 days in the fridge and still be good so there is no panic if you don't get to it right away. 

 

We're sharing at these fab linky parties - Ms. enPlace, The Chicken Chick, Memories By The Mile,  New Mrs. Adventures, Anyonita Nibbles, Nap Time Is My Time, Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons

 

18 Salad As A Meal Ideas

I'm a recent convert to the idea that a salad can be a complete meal.

I always viewed salads as a necessary evil that one must eat with their meal to ensure one got in all their veggies for the day.

So... yeah... not a huge salad fan.

BUT... that has all changed. I have come up with several recipes that turn boring old leafy greens into something majestic. 

Yes... I said majestic.

These 18 salads are meals unto themselves and are amazeballs. If I do say so myself. All of them come in under 400 calories (or very close to it!) with some as low as 215 calories for an entire HUGE portion. Just click the name of the salad above the photo you like and it will take you to the link with the recipe!

1. Greek Chicken Salad 

A huge portion of chicken, veggies, and tangy tzatziki comes in at 325 calories!

You know you want it!

2. Quinoa Taco Salad

This salad comes in at 400 calories. It is served warm and is just as good as (if not better) than a "regular" taco. Guaranteed to fill you up!

3. Asian Inspired Pulled Pork Salad

Don't think pulled pork goes well in a salad? 

That's because you haven't tried this one. At only 253 calories you won't believe how amazing this salad tastes!

4. Hot Dog Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing

Another weird and wonderful idea is our Hot Dog Salad.

This is one of my all time favorites! Plus, it's only 375 calories for a massive plate full. 

5. Super Food Salad

So full of good stuff your head just may explode!

Or not... you know.... whatevs.

This one has a few more calories per serving - 430 - but is totally worth it for all the goodness.

6. Garlic Chicken Caesar Salad 

This salad is the one with the most calories in our collection - 458 calories per serving - but is one of the tastiest. Also - it has 32 gr of protein so it is very filling!!

And...... delicious.

So.... there's that....

7. Greek Meatball Salad 

Vegetarian but it doesn't feel like it.

The chickpea "meat"balls are delicious and the texture goes so well with a salad.

This one comes in at 280 calories. Pretty hard to beat that!

8. California Roll Sushi Salad With Wasabi Soy Sauce Dressing 

Craving sushi but don't want to eat all that rice?

Try our lower carb sushi salad using cauliflower "rice" for 240 calories. We bet you have a hard time finishing one serving by yourself!

9. Turkey Taco Salad With Spicy Avocado Dressing 

With homemade tortilla chips, spicy turkey, and loads of veggies this salad does NOT feel like a salad AT ALL. 

Seriously. 

Pluuuuuuus.... it's only 377 calories!

10. Noodle Salad With Sesame Garlic Dressing

Perfect to bring to a potluck OR to eat on its own as a meal. 

For about 250 calories you could be stuffing your face with this flavorful, filling, noodle salad.

11. Cobb Salad With Avocado Garlic Dressing

Probably one of the most impressive looking salads on the planet.

For realz. It's soooo pretty.

Oh, and tasty. And only 282 calories for a ridiculous amount.

12. Greek Pasta Salad With Creamy Feta Dressing

A healthified pasta salad makes everything better. It's true. 

This one runs about 290 calories per serving.

Per LARGE, very filling, delicious serving.

13. Chinese Macaroni Salad 

Here's another pasta salad recipe that is going to blow your socks off.

This one is full of bright colors and different flavors and is only 268 calories per serving.

Make this and everyone will be after you for the recipe.

14. Cheeseburger Salad 

This is the salad that started me on my salad-as-a-meal journey. 

It's amazing. 

If you don't try any of the other salads on this list - at least try this one! 

It's only 364 calories and it will bring you over to the salad side. Not even lying. 

15.  Lobster Salad With Lemon Dressing 

Light and lemony this salad has the least amount of calories in our collection.

For 215 calories per serving you can eat a huge amount!

Perfect for lunch or dinner.... or both....

16. Sweet Potato Green Salad With Tomato Curry Dressing

Don't let anyone tell you salads are boring.

Mix up unique ingredients and flavors (Like this one) and you end up with a delicious, hearty, and low cal meal. Only 325 calories per serving.

17. Warm Spinach Salad 

One word.

Bacon.

That is all.

(Oh yeah, this one is 354 calories.)

18. Asian Inspired Prawn Salad With Sesame Dressing 

Pretty, right?

And soooo addicting. Prawns and mandarins and sesame go together like nothing else.

For a large plate full it is only 250 calories. 

*win*

Not a bad way to start off the new year, eh?

18 salad-as-a-meal ideas to help you stay on the healthy eating track. 

Want more salad recipes? Just type "salad" into the search bar in the top corner of the blog OR check out the list under "Healthier Choices" at the top of the blog. 

I can't wait to come up with more meal ideas to turn into low cal, low carb salads! We would love to hear any ideas you may have - simply leave a comment below!

We're sharing at Carole's Chatter. Be sure to pop by and say hi!